Ever wonder why most turkey burgers are kinda dry, tasteless, and gross? It's because most people try substituting turkey directly for beef, and that's not practical. Turkey is a poultry, which means it's low on flavor, but high on versatility. Ground turkey is general lean and pretty bland, so it's no wonder why it just can't measure up to beef's natural richness. You have to add some pizzazz to turkey to turn it into a bomb burger! This recipe is so good, I actually prefer these spicy turkey zucchini burgers over regular burgers, they're just that amazing! I add fresh shredded zucchini to add moisture and bulk up the veggie content, and the best part is, your family won't even notice. The zucchini keeps these burgers super moist without altering the flavor. Then, I add deliciously smoky spices like cumin and paprika, and some fresh herbs to create a flavor-packed turkey burger you'll make over and over again! A low-cal turkey burger that eat's like a beef burger? Count me in!
1 pound ground turkey
1 cup shredded zucchini
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 sprigs of fresh thyme, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1 green onion, sliced
Canola oil, for grilling
Combine all the ingredients, except the canola oil. Form the mixture into 6-8 patties, depending on how big you like your burgers.
Brush the burgers with canola oil, to keep them from sticking. Heat a grill to medium heat, then lay the burgers onto the grill (you can also do this on a stove top grill pan).
Cook your turkey burgers for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through.
Serve these deliciously juicy, spicy turkey burgers on a toasted bun with your favorite toppings, or wrapped in lettuce for a California style treat! These burgers would be delicious with my Tzatziki sauce, they've got a Mediterranean flair!